What Mary’s Meals means to children in Liberia

What do you enjoy about school? 

Cheryl: My favourite thing about school is to learn, because when I grow up, I want to be a doctor. I would like to go to Monrovia because it is where my mom went to study. My mom is a nurse. My favourite subjects are spelling, math and reading. 

Joel: I like learning because I want to be educated and I want to be a teacher when I am older. I want to go to Monrovia. My father works in Monrovia as a teacher; he teaches social studies. My favourite subjects are social studies, English and spelling. The longest word I can spell is photosynthesis – p-h-o-t o-s-y-n-t-h-e-s-i-s. 

How does Mary’s Meals help you and your family? 

Joel: In Liberia some people do not have food at school so Mary’s Meals share some rice and beans that they will cook for the children to eat. 

I would feel bad if I didn’t have Mary’s Meals because my parents do not give me recess [lunch] so I can’t eat, so when I have Mary’s Meals, I am feeling good. It means I will be able to eat and I will be full. I feel good, everything is easier. I walk to the kitchen, and I take Mary’s Meals and I feel good. It tastes delicious. 

My mum tell me when she was in school she eat Mary’s Meals too. She said Mary’s Meals help her because she used to be hungry in class. She learnt at St Dominic’s and that’s why she sent me here, to learn and become a teacher. 

Cheryl: My mother or father don’t give me money [for food] and I come to school not very full. I don’t feel ok. Mary’s Meals makes me feel good. 

My mom told me that she used to eat Mary’s Meals and she told me that it tastes good, that whenever she ate the food, she ate plenty. She said that when they cooked Mary’s Meals food she would not be in the class sleeping. 

Is there anything else you would like Mary’s Meals supporters to know? 

Cheryl: Thank you to the people because when no Mary’s Meals was in Liberia many people were coming to be hungry so the people that bring Mary’s Meals we are grateful to them. More children in Liberia [should] get Mary’s Meals because there are schools that don’t have food. 

Joel: Thank you to the people that help Mary’s Meals because Mary’s Meals can save some people. They can be very hungry and with Mary’s Meals people will eat and be filled. 

Mary’s Meals is supporting generational change in Liberia. As communities continue to navigate the long term effects of war, deadly disease outbreaks, and persistent food insecurity, nutritious daily meals are helping children and their families build themselves a better future. The last 20 years of school feeding has transformed so many lives – let’s not stop there!